- Written by Andre Roden-Paul
- BBC News
Image source, Getty Images
Katy Perry has been a judge on the show since 2018
Katy Perry has revealed that she is leaving American Idol after seven seasons as a judge on the talent show.
“I think this will probably be my last show, my last season on 'Idol,'” the 39-year-old singer said during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday night.
Explaining her decision, she said she wanted to “go see the world” and hinted at releasing new music.
Perry has been a judge on the ABC show since 2018.
The Roar singer made the announcement after Jimmy Kimmel asked her how long she would stay on American Idol.
“This has connected me to the heart of America, but I feel like I need to get out and feel that pulse on my beat,” she said, explaining her decision.
But she did not completely rule out her return to the series in the future. “Maybe I'll come back if they get me one day.”
Image source, Getty Images
Perry will appear on the final season of American Idol alongside judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan
Perry appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live ahead of the Season 22 premiere of American Idol on Sunday, where she was a judge alongside soul and R&B legend Lionel Richie and country singer Luke Bryan.
When asked about the co-judges' reaction to the news, she said: “They know I have some things planned this year… I'm creating space for my new suite.
“They found out I had been in the studio for a while. So they figured something was up.”
“But they were great…and then they did the part that was great with us.
“And you know who that business was, it was Lionel Richie. He could convince anyone of anything.”
Perry also discussed the moment her attempt to find her seat at the coronation service at Westminster Abbey went viral.
Watch: Katy Perry searches for her seat at the coronation ceremony
“I was looking for my seat. There was no designated place to sit, which was kind of interesting,” she explained.
She agreed that people sitting behind her may have blocked their view due to her light purple Vivienne Westwood shade, adding that she “could barely see” herself.
Perry rose to fame in 2008 with the song I Kissed A Girl, which dominated the charts in early 2010. Her latest album, Smile, was released in 2020.
She joined American Idol in its 16th season as part of its reboot on ABC in 2018, following in the footsteps of previous judges such as Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Mariah Carey, and Nicki Minaj.
She is married to actor Orlando Bloom and they have a three-year-old daughter, Daisy Dove.
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